In the quiet early mornings, a kettle whistles in the kitchen as a grandparent tunes the radio to the familiar hum of news. A voice in the front garden calls out, “Lucy lets go, it’s time for school!” – and moments later, small feet dash into the flat and little Lucy throws herself at grandpa

In South Africa, the line between indoors and out is gloriously blurred. The patio isn’t just a pass-through or an afterthought – it’s where life happens. It’s where we sip our morning coffee, gather for a Sunday braai, watch summer thunderstorms roll in or sink into a lounger with a glass of wine and the

There’s a certain magic that only winter can bring – the hush of a cold evening settling in, the sparkle of a wine glass by soft light, the familiar crackle of a fire that draws people closer. A fireplace, in all its flickering glory, has long been the heart of the home. It’s where stories

Accessories can transform your home if it is done tastefully. When choosing furniture, splash out on timeless pieces that are neutral in colour and then introduce colour with the accessories. If you are the kind of person who likes change as much as I do, a very easy and relatively cheap way of doing this

Front door Don’t underestimate the power of a front door. People make up their minds in the first seven seconds of entering a house. The entrance should be freshly painted, have pretty potplants surrounding it, and incorporate the small touches like a working door bell, letterbox, and easily visible number. If you’re up for more

The 1st and free way to boost your properties appearance (and hence value) is to minimise clutter! When showing a property, it’s a good idea to put personal items like photos out of sight, as it will be easier for prospective buyers to see themselves in the space. Imagine you have a date coming round